Pollo con Piselli Primavera (Italian Chicken with Spring Peas)
- 11 hours ago
- 2 min read
Pollo con Piselli Primavera (Italian Chicken with Spring Peas)
Pollo con Piselli Primavera is a fresh Italian braise that keeps the chicken juicy and lets young peas, spring onions and herbs remain bright. The sauce is deliberately light, using wine and stock rather than a heavy tomato base.
Ingredients
3 lb (1.35 kg) bone in chicken pieces; 2 cups (300 g) peas; 8 pearl onions or 4 spring onions; 2 carrots; 3 tbsp (45 ml) extra virgin olive oil; 1/2 cup (120 ml) dry white wine; 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) chicken stock; thyme; parsley; lemon zest; salt and black pepper.
Step by Step Preparation
1. Dry and season the chicken. 2. Brown skin side down in olive oil until deeply golden, then turn briefly. 3. Remove and sweat onions and carrots. 4. Deglaze with white wine and reduce by half. 5. Return chicken and add stock and thyme. 6. Cover partially and simmer gently until almost tender. 7. Add peas during the final 8 to 10 minutes. 8. Uncover and reduce the juices until glossy. 9. Finish with parsley and lemon zest. 10. Rest 5 minutes before serving.
Professional Technique
Brown the chicken before braising, but keep the liquid below a hard boil. Add peas only near the end to preserve sweetness and color. Reduction should happen after the chicken is nearly cooked.
Chef Tips
Use bone in pieces for flavor. Fresh spring peas are ideal, but high quality frozen peas work well. Lemon zest should be added off heat.
Common Mistakes
Crowding the pan, boiling the chicken, adding peas from the beginning and using too much liquid make the dish pale and watery.
Serving and Presentation
Serve one or two chicken pieces with peas and vegetables loosely arranged around them. Spoon only enough jus to glaze the plate.
Wine Pairing
Pair with Vermentino di Sardegna or a crisp Italian white served around 48 to 52°F (9 to 11°C).
Storage and Reheating
Refrigerate up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a covered pan with a small splash of stock.
Nutrition per Serving
Approximate per serving: 470 calories, 42 g protein, 18 g carbohydrates, 24 g fat, 5 g fiber and 610 mg sodium.
Comments